Day 325: Job 28:28
Job 28:28
The Blueprint — The Verse
And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."
Memorization Practice
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Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
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Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Job explores suffering, wisdom, and God's governance in the ancient world. Chapter 28 uses mining imagery to show that humans can extract treasure from the earth yet cannot buy wisdom. True wisdom begins with reverent fear of the Lord who gives understanding.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Job's poem describes how miners probe deep places for precious metals while wisdom remains hidden from birds and beasts. Riches cannot purchase it. The chapter closes with God's definition: for humanity, wisdom is fearing the Lord and turning away from evil.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Job 28:27
27then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;he confirmed it and tested it.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Job 28:27) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Job 28:29
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Job 28:29) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- How is godly wisdom different from intelligence or success?
- What does shunning evil teach about the practice of understanding?
- Where do you seek wisdom when circumstances confuse you?